Sprinkler system for chimneys



Oct. 6, 1942. E. F. soucY SPRINKLER SYSTEM FOR CHIMNEYS Filed Aug. 8, 1941 v INVENTOR. E771 @925 'E fiougy BY Wkaym v64.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES FATEN T OFFICE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in sprinkler systems for chimneys.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a sprinkler system for chimneys which will be automatically rendered operative by the excessive heat caused by a fire in the chimney to spray water or other fluid into the chimney to extinguish the fire.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the above mentioned character that is simple in construction, efiicient and eflicacious in the performance of its duties and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sprinkler system embodying my invention and showing the same operatively installed in a chimney,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, parts being shown in section and parts in elevation for clearness of illustration, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l6 designates a pipe line or conduit which extends from a source of fluid pressure such as a conventional water line, or the like, and into a chimney Prior to its entrance into the chimney the conduit is provided with a key connection I2. A pipe l3 connected to one of the horizontal flanges of the connection extends through a suitable drain and short length of conduit I4 is provided with an elbow union l5 at its upper end which connects with a horizontally arranged conduit I6. This arrangement located the section of conduit l6 above and parallel to the main conduit l and the conduit I6 therefore enters the chimney slightly above the level of the main conduit. Within the chimney the conduit extends upwardly along one wall of the chimney as at H, which portion terminates adjacent the top of the chimney in a perforated annular section of tubing IS. The section It is shaped to conform with the passage IQ of the chimney whereby it will extend in close proximity with the walls of the passage and by reason of its-d5 to the motor.

24 and a contact 3!] on'the conductor 25.

annular formation it will afiord little or no obstruction to the passage of smoke and gases through the chimney. The perforations in the section |8 are directed downwardly so that water or other fluid dischargedtherefrom will be directed downwardly into the chimney in'a fine even spray.

Fluid is discharged into the chimney onlyupon the occurrence of a fire therein and I have therefore provided a thermostatic unit 20 in'the chimney which will be responsive to'an excessive temperature in the chimney to turn on the sprinkler system. The thermostatic unit comprises a pair of normally separatedbi-metallic arms 2| and 22 connected to a vertically arranged pipe sectiont23. The pipe section 23 extends upwardly within the chimney to position the arms 2| and 22 at the upper end thereof and in proximity to the annular spray section 18. I prefer that the pipe section 23 be suitably insulated so that the electrical conductors 24 and 25 extending therethrough and connecting with the bi-metallic arms 2| and 22 will be shielded from the flames of a fire within the chimney. As best illustrated in Figure 1 the \lower end of the pipe 23 extends outwardly through the wall of the chimney, the conductors 24 and '25 extending therefrom and connecting with an electric motor 26. The battery 2! or other suitable source of electric power is connectedin the circuit, the same being here illustrated as being connected in the conductor 24. A switch arm 28 is inserted in theconductor 24 which arm is swingable between a contact29 on the conductor It will be observed that the switcharm is located intermediate the battery and the thermostatic unit'20. To permit the motor 26 to be operated independently of the thermostatic unit, if desired. It may thus be seen that the electric circuit hereinabove describedis providedwith two switches, i. e., the thermostatic unit 2|] and the switch arm 28. If the switch arm 28 is in engagement with the contact '29 the motor may only be energized by movement of the bi-metallic arms 2| and 22 of the thermostatic switch into engagement with each other. By reason of the temperature responsive characteristic of the thermostatic unit the arms 2| and 22 will only contact when excessive heat is developedwithin the chimney as in the case of a fire. If however, the switch arm 28 is moved into engagement with the contact 30 a new circuit will be formed which extends direct from the battery In the operation. of the apparatus the switch arm 28 is normally maintained in engagement with the contact 29 so that the motor will not be energized unless the thermostatic switch is closed.

In some instances, it may be necessary to supply the water of the conduit by means of a storage tank or the like and under these conditions I connect one end of the armature shaft of the motor to a suitable impeller unit 3! which is connected in the conduit Ii] for developing a hydrostatic pressure therein. It may be desirable to provide the impeller unit 3| even though the conduit is connected to a conventional water main of the type wherein the water normally flows under pressure. Under these conditions the impeller will serve as a booster for forcing the water within the conduit to the top of the chimney so that it may be discharged through the section 18.

I have provided a drain valve 32 at the juncture of the drain pipe l3 with the conduit Ill and a shut-off or check valve 33 intermediate the drain valve and the impeller 3!. It will be noted that the drain valve is thus located below the conduit l6 so that the liquid therein and within the upstanding portion thereof l'l may drain by gravity therefrom. The drain valve is normally opened to permit the fluid to drain from this portion of the conduit and the check valve 33 is normally closed to prevent fluid from the fluid source from having access to the conduit IS.

The valves 32 and 33 are automatically operated upon closing of the thermostatic switch by means of a governor 34 the main rod 35 of which is rotatably supported by the bracket 36. A pulley 31 is fixedly attached to the governor rod 35 and a pulley 38 is fixedly attached'to the armature shaft of the motor 26 so that the endless belt 39 connecting the pulleys will drive the governor when the motor is'energized; The sleeve 40 of the governor has a pin and slot connection with one end of each of two operating levers 4| and 42. The opposite end of the levers connect with the valves 32 and 33, respectively. Thus, the main rod'of the governor is rotated by the motor, the governor weights will fly outwardly by centrifugal action to slide the sleeve 43 upwardly on'the rod 35 against the resilient action of a coil spring 43. As the sleeve 4!! slides along the governor rod the pin carried thereby will move within the slot of the levers 4| and 42 and swing the connecting ends of the levers upwardly to open the check valve 33 and to close the drain valve 32. When the check valve 33 is open the fluid from the fluid source may flow through the conduit H] upwardly through the conduit I4 and through the conduit I 6 to the spraying head I8.

It may thus be seen that the occurrence of a fire in the chimney will cause the bi -metallic arms 2| and 22 of the thermostatic unit 20 to contact whereby to close the circuit from the battery through the motor 26. As soon as the motor is energized the governor will be driven to open the valve 33 and to close the valve 32. The water or other fluid traversing the conduit may then have access to the spring head 18 of the apparatus which will direct the same downwardly into the chimney in a fine even spray. The flow of the fluid through the conduit will be permitted as long as the excessive heat remains in the chimney. As soon as the fire is extinguished, the ternperature within the chimney will be lowered and the thermostatic switch 20 will open to prevent electric current from flowing from the battery to the motor. As soon as the motor ceases'to operate the governor 34 will cease to operate the coil spring 35 which will return the sleeve 40 to the initial position whereby to close the check valve 33 and to open the drain valve 32. As soon as the fluid is prevented from flowing past the check valve 33 the fluid within the conduit sections Hi and I! may drain therefrom through the drain pipe 13.

It is also desirable that the bottom of the chimney be provided with a suitable drain pipe 44 so that the water discharged into the chimney may drain therefrom.

It is sometimes necessary to clean the chimney and a mixture of acid and water is generally used for this purpose. The instant apparatus may also be used to clean the chimney. A tank 45 containing acid or the like is mounted above the conduit [6 and is connected thereto by means of a pipe 46. A manually operated check valve 4'! is connected in the pipe 46 to normally prevent the acid in the tank from flowing therefrom.

When it is desired to clean the chimney in the above described manner, the check valve 41 is opened to permit the acid within the tank 45 to flow into the conduit l6 and the switch arm 28 is moved out of engagement with the contact 29 and into engagement with the contact 353. The motor 26 will then be energized to operate the governor 34 and to open the'check valve 33 and to close the drain valve 32. Water from the fluid source may then flow through the conduit l0 and into the conduit I6 where it will be mixed with the acid gravitating from the tank 45 and the mixture of water and acid will flow through the conduit l1 and be discharged from the'spray head I 8 and into the chimney.

After the chimney has been thoroughly cleaned the check valve 41 is closed and the switch arm 28 is returned to the initial position to engage the contact 29. The governor will then automatically close the check valve 33 and open the drain valve 32. It may thus be seen that after the cleansing operation is complete the system is again automatically set to'operate in the event of a flre in the chimney.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and ar rangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An automatic sprinkler system for chimneys comprising a fluid source, a conduit extending from the source and discharging into the chimney, a normally open electric circuit, temperature responsive means disposed within the chimney and connected in said circuit, said means being operative to close the circuit when the heat within the chimney reaches a determined maximum, a normally closed check valve within the conduit, and means rendered operative by the closing of the circuit to open the said check valve.

2. An automatic sprinkler system for chimneys comprising a fluid source,-a conduit extending from the fluid source and discharging into the chimney, a normally open electric circuit, temperature sensitive means disposed within the chimney and connected in said circuit, said means being operative to close the circuit when the heat within the chimney reaches a determined maximum, a normally closed check valve within the conduit, a normally open drain valve in said conduit intermedate the check valve and the discharge end of the conduit, and means rendered operative by the closing of the circuit to pen the said check valve and to close the drain valve.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a motor connected in the circuit, a overnor driven by the said motor, and means coactive with the governor and valve to open the valve upon actuation of the governor.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a motor connected in the circuit, a governor driven by the motor, and levers coactive with the governor and valves to open the check valve and close the drain valve upon actuation of the governor.

5. The invention described in claim 1 wherein there is provided a. fluid impeller interposed in said conduit and operatively connected with said last-mentioned means to place the fluid under 10 sprinkling pressure.

ERNEST F. SOUCY. 

